School Of Professional Studies - Columbia University

School Description

The School of Continuing Education offers master’s degree programs in emerging and cross-disciplinary fields, courses and certificates, Columbia Summer, programs for visiting domestic and international students, and more.

The School of Continuing Education at Columbia University is a resource for those who wish to take their lives in new directions.

Our students are motivated, serious, academically oriented people who seek professional, personal, or academic development in subjects that range from the sciences to the humanities to the arts.

The scope of the School extends far beyond evening classes for returning students. Our programs serve not only non-degree and professional students, but also hundreds of graduate and undergraduate Columbia matriculates every year.

We currently offer

Fourteen professional master’s degrees

Postbaccalaureate study in over 100 subject areas

Over 50 high school program curricular options

Ten levels of ESL instruction

Access to Arts and Sciences courses through the Auditing and Lifelong Learning Programs

The University's Summer Sessions

Though this offering is diverse, our programs are unified by our mission: to transform knowledge and understanding in service of the greater good: a just, sustainable and compassionate global society.

Please explore our site and consider all that Columbia’s School of Continuing Education has to offer.

History

Since 1995, Columbia University’s School of Continuing Education has administered and developed innovative programs that fill a diversity of student needs.

Originally named the Division of Special Programs, continuing education at Columbia began with several non-degree programs, one overseas program, the Summer Session, Summer High School Programs, the American Language Program, and a few inter-institutional arrangements. Over the next five years, the Division expanded steadily, launching a series of programs aimed at postgraduate students who needed to prepare for graduate school or career advancement and at undergraduates who wanted to study overseas for a semester, year, or over the summer.

In 2002, the University’s Board of Trustees granted final approval for the creation of the School of Continuing Education, the first new school at Columbia in 50 years. With this new status, SCE gained the authority to confer the Master of Science degree.

Since 2002, the School has undergone remarkable growth. Today the School administers 14 professional M.S. degree programs, postbaccalaureate study in over 50 subject areas, the Summer Sessions, the American Language Program, and Summer High School Programs.

The School currently enrolls approximately 6,000 students every year, from across the nation and around the world. We serve hundreds of students enrolled in other schools of the University through the Summer Sessions, our study abroad offerings, and through the professionally oriented courses we mount each year.

This robust growth is a testament to the vitality of Continuing Education at Columbia and to the success of our students and programs. We continue to look forward to developing opportunities for students to change their lives through rigorous academics and challenging study.

This school also offers:

Master

The Master of Science in Bioethics, part of Columbia University’s Programs in Bioethics, which also include an Online Certification of Professional Achievement and Online Noncredit Courses, grounds students in historical, philosophical, legal, and social-scientific approaches and models to address bioethical challenges.
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Issues concerning the ethical, legal, and social implications of advances in biotechnology and biomedicine are increasingly arising both in the United States and abroad. From stem cell research to healthcare reform, these topics involve critical dilemmas at the intersections of law, society, culture, public policy, philosophy, religion, economics, and history.
Scientists, healthcare providers, and policy-makers confront how to approach these complex questions, yet scientific and technological advances have far outpaced our ability to understand or make key decisions about these issues.
The Master of Science in Bioethics, part of Columbia University’s Programs in Bioethics, which also include an Online Certification of Professional Achievement and Online Noncredit Courses, grounds students in historical, philosophical, legal, and social-scientific approaches and models to address bioethical challenges. The program prepares students to work in various capacities within this new and ever-growing field, and includes a concentration in global bioethics – the first of its kind in the United States.
Students can study with faculty from across the University and draw on the extraordinary resources of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the schools of Law, Journalism, Nursing and International and Public Affairs, and the Arts and Sciences.
Curriculum
36 points for degree completion
On-campus instruction; some courses available online
Part-time* or Full-time program
Fall intake only
3-6 terms to complete**
Master’s Thesis
* Enrollment in the part-time option of this program does not meet the full-time requirements for an F1 student visa.
** Three years maximum.
The 36-point program is composed of six core courses, five electives chosen from the University course offerings, and a master’s thesis. Students are assigned to a primary faculty advisor, with whom they work closely to design an individualized program that best meets their needs. Students may then focus, if they choose, on one of a variety of areas, including clinical ethics, research ethics, neuroethics, reproductive ethics, environmental ethics, or other realms.
It is recommended that students take the core courses in a specific order - the Philosophy of Bioethics and the History of Bioethics should be taken before the other cores (or concurrently with Clinical Bioethics). Global Bioethics should be taken after the Philosophy of Bioethics, the History of Bioethics and Clinical Bioethics. Additional course work includes five electives chosen from the University course offerings (one in law or policy, one in ethics, and one in social science methods). Students are also strongly encouraged to take one in genetics and, depending on their interest, one in environmental science. These electives may be taken at any time.
Students are required to complete a thesis, working closely with one of the program's core and/or affiliated faculty members, due in the student's final semester. Thesis assignments are based, as much as possible, on the student's main areas of interest within bioethics and are intended to be a serious independent work of scholarship. Topics are chosen in close consultation with the student’s core faculty advisor, or with members of the Advisory Board and faculty affiliates.
The M.S. in Bioethics is offered on both a full and part-time basis, but either option demands a serious commitment of time and energy. Students are expected to devote significant time to completing reading and class assignments, and papers outside of class. Students may hold a full-time job simultaneously, but should bear in mind the significant demands of the program.
Depending on the individual course of study, students may complete the program in one academic year or in a maximum of three years, if the program is done on a part-time basis.
Of the six core courses, three are offered each fall and three are offered each spring. The core courses are not offered during the summer, but students may take electives during that time. During the academic year, core courses meet once a week on weekdays from 4:10 to 6 p.m. or evenings from 6:10 to 8 p.m. Elective courses vary depending on the semester.
Students should expect to spend an average of eight hours per week on readings, or attendance at outside meetings (e.g. hospital ethics committee meetings) for each core class. The number of hours that the master’s thesis will require varies widely, depending on the student, and the specific project. Some projects may entail collection of data, while others may rely on scholarly sources, and the time estimates of each of these may vary depending in part on the difficulty of locating appropriate sources.
In order to receive the master's degree in Bioethics, students must complete all requirements for the degree with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better.
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Columbia University’s Master of Science in Communications Practice program provides you with a foundation of analytical skills, storytelling know-how, audience understanding, and an internship to gain a competitive edge in the field and prepare for a career-track job in communications.
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Build a strategic mindset for the communications workplace.
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Communications Practice program provides you with a foundation of analytical skills, storytelling know-how, audience understanding, and an internship to gain a competitive edge in the field and prepare for a career-track job in communications.
You’ll be prepared to segment and target audiences, evaluate and design research tools, use social media strategically, develop storytelling skills, and thoroughly understand how to develop effective communications strategies.
Extensive Real-World Experience
Aided by the program’s professional network, you secure an internship at a New York City firm. For your entire third semester, you will put your skills to use there as a fully functioning member of a communications team, expand your résumé, and build a network of contacts.
Spend a semester exploring and working in the communications capital of the world. Hear three students discuss their internship.
Gaining further experience, for your Portfolio Project, you will select and analyze a real-world communications challenge faced by an organization. A mentor assigned from among Columbia’s Strategic Communications program alumni will advise you along the way.
Communications Skills Employers Value Most
Communications executives demand their best new hires think critically about any communications challenge before acting. The M.S. in Communications Practice provides you with the mindset and analytical skills these employers value most, not technologies and tasks that may be obsolete by graduation. This focus on strategy prepares you to obtain a higher-level job more quickly.
Outside of the classroom, we encourage students to take advantage of our supplemental communications seminars and workshops, such as Columbia’s Strategic Communications Workshop Series, to further develop their skills and career advancement opportunities, and network with students and alumni from Columbia’s Strategic Communications M.S. program and leaders in the field.
Curriculum
42–45 points for degree completion
Full-time program only
4–5 consecutive terms to complete
On-campus instruction only
Fall intake only
Time Demands
Courses take place during the day, evenings, and on specific Saturdays. Class meetings vary in length from two to four hours. Every week, students should be prepared to spend 25 to 30 hours outside of class in order to complete assigned readings, work on projects, and participate in meetings with work groups.
In order to receive the master's degree in Communications Practice, students must complete all requirements of the degree in a maximum of five terms (including an internship) with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better.
If a situation arises where a student must leave for the semester, under certain circumstances, it may be possible to resume the following year.
Enrollment & Transfers
Individual Course Enrollment
Individual course enrollment for this program is occasionally available for some courses on a space-available basis.
Advanced Standing
Previous Course Work — Into the Program
In principle, the School of Continuing Education does not accept transfer credit for degree work done at another institution. However, students enrolled in an M.S. degree program may petition their Program Director for advanced standing if they believe course work they have previously done is duplicative.
Transfer Credit — Out of the Program
Students who seek to apply course credit towards a degree must consult with the degree-granting school in order to determine eligibility and limitations. The School of Continuing Education cannot advise students on the applicability of credit toward another degree.
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The Fundraising Management master’s program equips professionals to excel in institutional advancement and nonprofit management careers.
The world of nonprofits is growing – both in size and influence. The thousands of causes and the millions of organizations that serve those causes, in the United States and across the globe, need people to lead and to secure financial support. The Fundraising Management program here at Columbia is your portal to taking part in what many feel is the most important of society’s sectors – the one that furthers philanthropy, the love of humankind.
The need for fundraising professionals and nonprofit leaders to distinguish themselves has increased. Organizations constantly seek individuals with a thorough understanding of the philanthropic marketplace, a mastery of key fundraising techniques, and comprehensive management skills. Because of this demand for highly skilled development personnel, salaries are among the highest in the sector.
Curriculum
36 points for degree completion
On-campus instruction
Part-time* or full-time program
Fall and Spring** intake
3–12 terms to complete***
Capstone Seminar and comprehensive final project
* International students need to be enrolled on a full-time basis to be eligible for an F-1 student visa.
** Part-time program only for Spring intake
*** Summer courses included.
Students in the Fundraising Management program complete 12 3-point courses:
five core required courses, which provide an overview of the industry and a thorough analysis of the essential elements of fundraising and leadership, including campaigns, major gifts, planning giving, and grants, as well as nonprofit financial management and board governance
five elective courses in nonprofit leadership, spanning management, marketing, quantitative studies, and other subjects related to philanthropy, development, and fundraising
two courses that comprise a capstone sequence: a seminar in fundraising, designed to address high-level considerations within the field, and a supervised project which permits students to apply the knowledge gained in the program in a meaningful, substantive way
Each course consists of theoretical and practical approaches to its subject matter. In-class exercises (such as formal presentations, role play, and experiential learning) and real institution-based assignments provide students with applied, tangible skills that readily transfer into the workplace, while homework (including readings, research, and report writing) keeps students up to date on the latest trends, techniques, and strategies in nonprofit administration. As such, the program imparts both the requisite subject matter necessary for mastery of the field as well as the techniques and tools essential for individual confidence and success.
The curriculum is demanding and requires a significant commitment of time and energy outside of classroom. Students must complete the 36-point program with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better in order to be awarded the degree.
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Columbia University’s Master of Science in Information and Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) program prepares individuals who are invested in the strategic potential of business-knowledge strategy alignment, collaboration, and business analytics to expand or branch out from their current roles, or become entrepreneurs of ventures in the knowledge domain.
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Drive growth, productivity, and societal impact through information management and collaboration.
Columbia University’s Master of Science in Information and Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) program prepares individuals who are invested in the strategic potential of business-knowledge strategy alignment, collaboration, and business analytics to expand or branch out from their current roles, or become entrepreneurs of ventures in the knowledge domain.
Program Benefits
Develop
essential skills in strategy, business analytics, findability, law, entrepreneurship, and change management to plan and lead knowledge and information services, improve collaboration and networks, and create innovative knowledge products.
Shape
your career as an in-house knowledge practitioner, consultant, or knowledge product entrepreneur in nearly any industry, including financial services, advertising, education, logistics, healthcare, international development, manufacturing, and technology. Sample titles include Knowledge Manager, Senior Business Process Analyst, Strategic Marketing Associate, Strategy and Process Improvement Manager, and Senior Consultant.
Specialize
your study by choosing electives in social media/mass collaboration, information visualization, change leadership, or knowledge-driven digital product innovation.
Balance
your career and academic life over 16 months with online coursework once a weeknight per course, virtual collaboration and discussions, and three five-day residencies on Columbia’s campus in New York City.
Connect
with faculty who have held leadership positions in information, knowledge, IT, or law at organizations such as Accenture, Pfizer, Fidelity Investments, NASA, Bain & Company, and The World Bank.
Apply
your skills and knowledge through a group capstone project for a leading global for-profit or nonprofit business, such as Motorola Solutions, ConocoPhillips, HSBC, Women’s World Banking, German Aerospace Center, or the World Wildlife Fund.
Join
an elite Ivy League network of your global cohort and more than 250 alumni who have advanced in their careers or responsibilities with their IKNS degree at places like ADP, Hilton Hotels, Pfizer, Publicis, United Nations, USAID, and Thomson Reuters.
Curriculum
36 points for degree completion
Combination of on-campus and online instruction
Executive Master’s Schedule*
Fall intake only
16 months to complete**
Capstone Project
* Enrollment in this program does not meet the full-time requirements for an F1 student visa.
** Three on-campus residencies. See program diagram below.
The M.S. program in Information and Knowledge Strategy is framed by three residencies in New York City.
The residencies offer the opportunity to get to know fellow students, receive individual coaching from faculty, and network with leaders in the field. Each of the three residencies is anchored by core course requirements. Activities during the three five day residencies connect directly to the other program components. Therefore, full participation is critical for degree completion.
Between each residency students complete classes online through a highly interactive innovative distance learning platform. Students and faculty communicate through a unique social networking function in ways that extend and enhance the impact of traditional learning experiences.
Candidates for the master’s degree are expected to complete the degree requirements within 16 months (four consecutive terms, including summer) with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better. The 36-point program consists of eight core requirements (three points each), two electives (three points each), and a capstone project (six points).
This accelerated program demands a considerable amount of time and energy, including three residency requirements. Each of the residencies is anchored by a core course, a portion of which is completed during the residency and the rest of which is completed online. In addition to class work, each residency features special lectures, seminars, professional workshops, career advisement and coaching sessions, networking events, and more.
Required courses outside of the residencies meet online once a week in the evening during the fall and spring terms. Elective courses meet online once a week in the evening during the summer term. Students should allocate a minimum of 10 to 12 hours per week outside of class times during each term for readings, asynchronous online lectures, exercises and other assignments.
All courses have scheduled weekly synchronous class meetings delivered on a distance learning platform that supports and fosters a high level of interaction between and among students and faculty. Electives are offered online during the summer using the same model and platform. The capstone projects are launched during the second residency in April and students continue working on their projects throughout the remaining months of the program.
Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a diploma bearing the name and seal of Columbia University.
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Columbia’s master’s program in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, which can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis, combines theory and applied training to prepare students to develop practical models for negotiating and resolving disputes among parties with differing objectives and desires.
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Conflict resolution professionals work in a range of fields, including business, law, education, healthcare, and government. They act as arbitrators, mediators, facilitators, ombudsmen, and counselors. They must understand the root causes and dynamics of conflict and how to resolve disputes through reasoned negotiation.
Columbia’s master’s program in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, which can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis, combines theory and applied training to prepare students to develop practical models for negotiating and resolving disputes among parties with differing objectives and desires. This graduate program is part of a rich history of conflict resolution at Columbia University.
The graduate program’s training philosophy is grounded in a commitment to interactive, dialogue-based methods of managing and resolving conflict. The focus is on building common ground, establishing dialogue, applying practical skills, ensuring representation and recognition, and forging relationships.
The program trains students to:
Adopt a mindset that is self-aware and sensitive to diverse populations of people in various settings
Consider alternative perspectives from differing worldviews
Apply sound conflict analysis models, tools and processes
Understand system dynamics and complexity of issues and actors
Develop a reflective practice of learning
Work toward reaching constructive outcomes through the use of collaborative processes
Use theory to inform their understanding, and apply pragmatic approaches to resolving conflicts
Curriculum
40 points for degree completion
On-campus instruction only
Part-time* or full-time program
Spring and Fall intake
3-6 terms to complete
Capstone Thesis
Fieldwork course option
* Enrollment in the part-time option of this program does not meet the full-time requirements for an F1 student visa.
The curriculum emphasizes a pragmatic approach to resolving conflicts that arise in human resource management, community and labor organization, education and health administration, and law and business. Through examination of theory and practical methodology, the program focuses on constructive communication, ethical understanding, cultural awareness and sensitivity, counseling, and resolving conflicts in ways that are favorable for all parties.
The program includes four core courses that ground students in the field. Two additional courses are designed to provide students with a deeper engagement in research and practice. Four electives allow students to focus their work in an area of concentration, such as health care, the environment, or ombuds practice. At least two of these electives must be chosen from courses designed for the program; up to two may be chosen from course offerings in other schools of the University. Three Master's Capstone Thesis Seminars immerse students in the world of negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution through applied research and exposure to professional work in the field with grounding in theory, research and practice.
This is a rigorous and concentrated graduate degree program that demands a serious commitment of time and energy. The Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution can be taken on a full or part-time basis, and is designed to accommodate the professional obligations of students who are employed full-time.
Students should be aware of the nontraditional schedule. Classes are mostly held in the evenings and on the weekends. Course meetings are either spread out over the 14-week term or scheduled as weekend, day-long intensives. Course schedules are posted in advance of the term so that students can plan accordingly. Classroom attendance is required. Students are also expected to devote significant time to completing reading and written assignments, and projects outside of class.
In order to receive the Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, students must complete all requirements within three years (six terms, excluding summer) with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better.
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Become a leader in the data-driven sports world of the 21st century.
Ranked #3 globally by SportBusiness International’s Masters Ranking 2015, Columbia University’s master’s degree program in Sports Management trains professionals in all sectors of the sports industry by teaching specific management skills with a global, analytics, and digital focus. Available part-time and full-time, the program accommodates:
young professionals who aspire to have a career in sports.
current sports professionals who want to enhance their current skill set and pursue advancement opportunities.
career-changing professionals who want to transition to a sports career.
Program Benefits
Acquire
leading-edge know-how through our unique curriculum in digital sports media, sports analytics, and global sports management.
Develop
critical thinking and problem-solving skills through an in-depth understanding of marketing, finance, intercollegiate athletics, facility and event management, sports law and ethics, global sports, analytics, and digital media in sports.
Collaborate
with a diverse student body, representing 15 countries, selected to broaden your perspectives on issues, practices, and cultures in the global world of sports.
Learn
from successful industry practitioners in the areas of digital media, analytics, global sports, PR, finance, facilities and events, and intercollegiate athletics.
Expand
your network through industry events, panels, and speakers, drawing on the abundant resources of New York City, the sports capital of the world.
Evolve
as a professional through our proprietary development and coaching process, which cultivates your leadership skills, along with presentation and writing skills.
Leverage
and apply your skills and knowledge in a practical setting through internship opportunities and special projects at various sports organizations.
Join
the only Ivy League institution offering an M.S. in Sports Management and its elite network of peers, industry experts, and graduates working in leadership positions across the global sports industry.
Curriculum
36 points for degree completion
On-campus instruction
Part-time* or full-time program
Fall intake (part-time and full-time) and spring intake (part-time only)
3-8 terms to complete
Customizable with courses across Columbia University
Internship or Integrative Project
* Enrollment in the part-time option of this program does not meet the full-time requirements for an F1 student visa.
Available on either a full-time or part-time basis, the Master of Science in Sports Management program has aligned its curriculum with the needs of the sports industry, with unique offerings in the areas of global sports, digital sports media and marketing, and sports analytics. These areas complement a strong foundation of core courses that equip graduates with the skills and training necessary to maintain an advantage in the highly competitive sports job market and, once hired, add immediate value to sports industry employers. Beyond establishing a strong business foundation, the curriculum and faculty will challenge you to deepen your understanding in three key areas:
The complex global sports landscape and the contrasts and comparisons of the sports business models around the world
The many connection points between the digital world and the sports world and the potential impact of disruptive technologies
The various ways to integrate the abundance of new data and information into decision processes that sports leaders face
Program Structure
The program requires 36 points for degree completion, or 12 3-point courses. For required courses, you will take four core courses that provide an overview of sports business concepts and practices and how they are applied in real-world contexts. In addition, you will choose one required course from each of three categories: Sports Marketing, Sports Analytics, and Sports Projects. For your remaining five courses, you may customize your focus by choosing electives in a variety of disciplines or choose courses from among four elective groupings, or areas of focus:
Global Sports
Sports Analytics
Digital Sports Media and Marketing
Intercollegiate Athletics
In order to receive your degree, you must complete all requirements within four years with an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better.
Classes are held on weekday evenings between 4:10 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Global Sports Focus
With the evolution of the global sports structure, the global focus provides you with an understanding of the differences and similarities between the U.S. and the international sports landscape. With globalization as a focus, you will review legal issues facing large-scale international events, compare the U.S. model to the international model, and discuss emerging markets. In addition, a course in global analytics will provide the opportunity to analyze soccer and cricket data.
Sports Analytics Focus
The analytics focus includes courses that allow you to analyze, interpret, and make decisions based on various on-field and off-field data. With new data emerging daily, the goal is for you to have the ability to demonstrate the capability to apply advanced critical thinking skills to sports business issues. You will learn the skill of combining objective analysis with subjective judgement to make decisions.
Digital Sports Media and Marketing Focus
The area of digital sports media and marketing has become one of the fastest growing sectors of the sports industry. The marketing and digital media focus will provide you with an understanding of communications practices and strategies, fundamentals of sponsorship packages, marketing best practices, and the ever-changing digital landscape. With new applications and platforms developed daily, what may be effective today might fade tomorrow. You will learn to adapt to these mediums through coursework and practical applications.
Intercollegiate Athletics Focus
The Intercollegiate Athletics Focus includes a variety of courses that relate to the functions of a college athletic department. You will be introduced to operational and management components necessary to run a collegiate program.
Internships and Work Opportunities
The internship component provides you with the option to take a deeper dive in a specific topic related to sports or complete an internship where you can learn and expand your network.
We will help match you to an internship at a professional or collegiate sports entity, based on the your area of interest. Often these are non-credit internships, but you may opt for the program's three-point Internship in Sports Management. An alternative to the Internship is the Supervised Research Project in Sports Management or Independent Study, approved by the program.
If you are an international student, you may be eligible for Optional Practical Training after completing all degree requirements and other work opportunities.
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Columbia University’s Executive M.S. in Technology Management prepares senior technology professionals to develop a strategic mindset, fine-tune their speaking and presentation skills, understand core business functions (such as finance, accounting, and leadership), and ultimately drive enhanced business performance through the use of technology.
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The demand for skilled and experienced leaders who can guide their firms to compete in today’s highly competitive, fast-paced, global, technology-based economy has never been higher.
Columbia University’s Executive M.S. in Technology Management prepares senior technology professionals to develop a strategic mindset, fine-tune their speaking and presentation skills, understand core business functions (such as finance, accounting, and leadership), and ultimately drive enhanced business performance through the use of technology. The program emphasizes the importance of using technology in business for strategic advantage and improved productivity. Graduates typically assume positions as CIO, CTO, CAO, COO, CEO, or CSO, or as entrepreneurs. The program is also ideal for those pursuing CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) certification.
To meet expanding industry needs for executive technology managers with distinct knowledge, the program offers five areas of focus: C-Level Management, Data Management and Analytics, New Business Ventures, Entertainment Technology Management, and Cybersecurity.
The executive, cohort-based program is completed over a 16-month period, which includes flexible online and interactive learning using Columbia’s unique networked learning platform and five multi-day residences where students engage in intensive study and have the opportunity to network with other students, faculty, and industry leaders. Students choose a residency plan based in New York City or in Paris.
One-on-One Executive Mentoring
One of the unique ways the program prepares students for the challenges of technology leadership is through extensive, one-on-one, structured mentoring from accomplished technology leaders. Beginning in the second term, each student is matched with a seasoned executive best suited to provide informed, individualized guidance for developing a master’s project idea into a complete, portable asset that can move any career forward.
Who Should Apply
The program provides an intensive graduate education for motivated candidates who have already demonstrated professional accomplishment. The ideal candidate has a minimum of ten years’ experience in professional roles using technology to further business goals, with a résumé demonstrating a strong record of professional achievement and clear leadership potential. Diverse industries and specializations are represented in every incoming class. Students are admitted as part of a cohort that moves through each phase of the program together, learning from each other as much as from faculty, mentors, and guest lecturers.
Curriculum
36 points for degree completion
Combination of on-campus and online instruction
Executive Master’s Schedule*
Fall intake only
16 months to complete
Executive Seminars
Executive Mentorship Program (one mentor per student)
* Enrollment in this program does not meet the full-time requirements for an F1 student visa.
The Executive M.S. in Technology Management is a 16-month executive format program framed by five multi-day residencies. The curriculum includes required or core courses; elective courses in five areas of focus: C-Level Management, Data Management and Analytics, New Business Ventures, Entertainment Technology Management, and Cybersecurity; executive seminars; and the Master’s Project. Activities during the residencies connect directly to the other program components. Throughout the program, coursework is supported by a leading-edge online learning platform designed to enhance and extend the face-to-face residency experience. Full participation is critical for degree completion.
Core Courses (Required for all Students)
Required or core courses provide all students, regardless of their backgrounds, with the knowledge and skills technology executives must have to succeed in today’s fast-paced global environment. Through the study of relevant theoretical frameworks, strategies, and tools, students acquire the ability to consider technology challenges from varied perspectives. Case studies help students to apply these theories, strategies, and tools to develop solutions to challenges they face in their own industries and work environments and become highly effective leaders.
Elective Courses
Electives include courses designed expressly for the program’s areas of focus. Students may also select related courses offered at the University that may help them advance their professional and academic interests.
The Mentor-Led Master’s Project
The Master’s Project demonstrates students’ ability to apply their coursework towards a specific technology solution based on the area of focus chosen by the student — usually in the form of a product or service — to a complex, real-world business challenge, objective, or scenario. A unique feature of the M.S. program and this project is the pairing of each student with an executive mentor drawn from the program’s vast network of CIOs and technology executives. Faculty approve students’ proposals for the Master’s Project during the first term of study. By a “draft” process, students are then matched with a mentor, who is interested in the student’s project. Then one-on-one work with the executive mentor over 3 semesters of the program develops and strengthens the idea into a project plan that will ultimately produce a complete and entirely portable professional asset. Master’s Projects are based on real-world business opportunities or challenges and are often centered on a business scenario the student knows firsthand from his or her own professional experience.
Executive Seminars
Over the course of the program, and in partnership with the program’s community of faculty, peers, and industry leaders, students research, develop, test, and refine their Master’s Project solutions over three sequential academic terms, completing three chapters in succession: product or service realization, strategic planning and marketing, and operations management. These online Executive Seminars immerse students in additional knowledge regarding current trends and issues in high-level technology management, taught by multiple instructors, all of whom are industry experts in one of the program’s areas of focus.
After each Executive Seminar, mentors review and discuss the progress of the Master’s Project with the student, offering the opportunity to seek advice about any aspect of the Project, from logistical business concerns to strategies for presentation and defense of the project before a review panel. Every student must “defend” each chapter orally in front of a panel of executives.
Mentor Activities
The mentor approaches and critiques the Master’s Project from the perspective of a seasoned executive, providing business context, identifying practical problems, honing solutions, challenging assumptions, offering guidance and contacts, and managing expectations. Meetings with the mentor simulate the real-world experience of working out complex solutions with a senior colleague.
Online Coursework
Many courses are enhanced through a highly interactive online experience that uses the School’s innovative distance learning platform. Students and faculty communicate through a unique social networking function in ways that extend and enhance the impact of traditional learning experiences. Courses typically include a combination of live events, asynchronous community-driven activities, and self-study. The online component does not substitute for the in-person residencies and coursework.
Residencies
The residency component is an essential part of a student’s development and preparation for a career as an executive. The face-to-face sessions provide group discussions and debates so that students can challenge their own views and benefit from the diversity of ideas put forth by their colleagues. Students are provided access to senior IT executives who present contemporary issues facing the profession. The experience allows students to assess their own views and develop new perspectives on their leadership style. The residencies also offer students the opportunity to network with industry leaders, get to know fellow students from around the world, and build a lifelong network of alumni, mentors, and faculty from the program.
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